St. Landry democrat., 1887-06-18

| uerS anu petI1nS his vacant STARE as tue slSl
of genius. We will begin with brother: L
is only right to provide for the weakest first
l took the trouble to make inquiries before
coming here said Aunt Valentine, beneti
Gently. "There are several very private ex
ceedingly well-kept asylums where he car
be placed, and we will select one. He ha:
plenty of means to pay for every comfort
| "But you wouldn't put brother into ar
asylum, Aunt Valentine p burst out Mari
| ana.
cts exactly what would do. You can't
keep him here"
"Why can't we keep him here? He is
| him away hec ries."
He needs some good whipping" asserted
| Gertrude. Marine is always so silly over
him, she provokes me beyond all patience. y
~ know l am silly" said Mariana, nc
| longer afraid of the absent-minded glare OF
| Mr.. George Valentine. "But I can't leave
brother Aunt. Gertrude may do just as she
pleases but can't leave him."
"My plan for you both was that you should
come with me and travel year. After
| ward, a vista would probably open before
you very different from slavish attendance
on your unfortunate brother. You are
sacrificing the greater for the less and
Scripture itself forbids that. Somebody else
Gould do all for brother that you can do, and
leave you the freedom which is your right"
But | don't want anybody else to dolt"
"He is a poor object to absorb your life,
Mariana"
II can't leave brother, Aunt Valentine"
said Mariana, Indignantly.
You think you can't continued the adj
wiser in her slow and gentle tone. Il knew
girl who devoted herself to a sisters or
phan son. and refused good oSers Of mar
riage because they might interfere with
what she considered her duty. He grew up,
turned his back upon her and chose his own
path in the world. She is old; she has
nothing OF her own to rest her affections on
to-day. She has not even lived. She has
simply served as the nourisher of life that
has now outgrown and cast her aside. Girls
are very foolish to forsake the natural chan
nels of duty and happiness"
II think so, too said Gertrude.
II know what you say is right true" Ma
rianna admitted stealing brothers hand
under the table; "but l can't leave him."
Brother at once shook hands with her
above board. Not because he understood the
struggle in which she was engaged, but be-
cause it was his common practice thus to ex-
press his silly approval Of Mariana.
He will live" prophesied Aunt Valen-
tine. gauging his rosy countenance and va
cant plue eyes, ito be an old man. And
as we are always influenced by the COM
pany we keep, what do you imagine your
mental state will be after fifty-ffty IN
relieved years of brothers society?"
But can't leave brother"
Marine, you have no more sense than a
parrotw exclaimed Gertrude Perhaps [
have little claim on you myself"
''You know, without talking Cert, you
have the whole world; brother has just me
and the farmhouse"
brother at the farmhouse seems to be
your refrain my dear" observed Mrs. Val
entine, smiling patiently. "How could you
stay at the farmhouse with brother? He
may need more restraint. When you are old
you may look back on your present state Of
mind with establishment"
Mariana worked silently at the bib strings
which were knotted behind her giant baby's
neck.
I'VE ought to love with discrimination
and care. I have seen the folly of so many
things myself that may be haranguing."
"Oh, my heart will break" burst out Ma
riana in explosive sobs. 20, aunt, let every |
body else go and be sensible. can't; l love
brother so. I love him so I can't leave him.
do \ bo Nd
well in her old age, but can't help my SIM
pleness or leave brother"
She sprang from her seat and dragged |
brother. Brother fixed his frightened eyes
upon Aunt Valentine and began to below
strongly.
This is delightful scene to make for
Aunt Valentine" pronounced Gertrude,
sparkling with vexation.
And quite noise brother made, trotting
out of the farmhouse after Mariana's flying
steps. roaring as he ran, and Mr.. George
Valentine contributed to the noise by slap
ping his tablets hard upon the table.
1t is the instinct of any living creature to
1y from what hurts. Mariana knew of a
laystack in distant meadow, at the base of
which she was fain to fatten herself out in
he abjectness of trouble She knew of
,ood deep, dark place in the woods where
Unlimited crying might be done. She and
BROTHER might climb a tree in the orchard
md roost there like two sad whippoorwills.
But what was the use of seeking any haven
When the enemy pursued? George Valentine
anne out Of the barn-h house and walked after
rother and her, whatever direction she
ook.
So she sat down ON the grass in the very
fiddle of the lawn, and brother sat down
eside her and wiped oft the tears which
we're running down her cheeks.
''We don't care do we, brother!' said
lariana detiantly.
Brother shook his large bald head with a
olling motion.
II won't leave you if all the Valentines,
nd Gertrude with them, do, and this entire
club against u.s.
Marine won't leave brother" said the
hot, rolling his head with another shake.
md he repeated this as a piece of informa-
on to George Valentine, when that deter
lined historian sat down on the grass be- =
de him. Marine won't leave brother" :
II won't leave brother, either" said Val {
ntine Pm going to. the Farmhouse to /
ay with Marine and you.''
''Tell him we don't want him." said Ma :
ana.
1--WE don't want you," repeated brother,